Out of the Mouths of Babes

Charlie isn't playing soccer this year, but Zach is. When one of Charlie's friends on the 5 year old team invited him over to kick the ball, he replied, "No thanks, I retired last year.""

A girl named Ellen at the kid's school was praying as they do every morning...Dear Lord, thank you for Charlie and Zach's mom and please help them grow to respect her.

Charlie: "I farfed" (giggle giggle) I farfed again (giggle giggle)
Me: ok, the word is "farted" f-a-r-t-e-d "farted" it's not a nice word and now you know what the real word is, I don't want you saying it. You can say poot, pass gas, toot, whatever...but you can not say fart OR farf.

Zach: "I pooped the 'big kahuna'".

Today when I checked on Charlie in the shower (like I ALWAYS do) to see if he was getting clean he actually told me that he was doing fine and to "go mind your own business." I couldn't believe it. He would have been in SO much trouble if I hadn't been so stunned.

Charlie was in big church with the youth--WE WEREN'T THERE--(our small group meets and there is no child care for kids older than kindergarten.) So, the youth takes care of them in Sunday night church. In the MIDDLE of Brother Gary's sermon (where he had asked a question about losing your passion) Charlie raises him hand to add a comment. Zach Smith, the teenager responsible for Charlie repeatedly had him put him hand down. Mason and Wesley (two other youth) said "Man, don't squelch the spirit!" "Yeah man, don't be a jerk." So Charlie's hand stayed up and Brother Gary called on him..."God made me and all my body parts."

Every day I ask the boys to tell me their 3 favorite things about school and Zach always says, "My favorite part of school was when you picked me up because you are beautiful." LOVE IT.

We were learning about how Jesus healed the sick. We talked about how Charlie used to be very sick. He asked, "Oh yeah. Did I have the coxsackievirus?" "...uuuummmm...no."

For Christmas, Charlie has requested full scuba gear, size 5 slim. If anyone know where Santa could find this, Santa would be most appreciative.

Dedicated to God

Tomorrow is Eleanor's dedication. I am so excited because to Chuck and me, it is a time where we give her to the Lord...to commit to raise her with the Lord's guidance, tons of prayer, in church. My grandmother, Eleanor Fletcher was one of the most Godly women I have ever known...and I pray our little Eleanor grows to have her character and her faith. I hope and pray that she grow to have a tender heart and a loving spirit. I hope she finds Jesus at an early age and allows the Holy Spirit to guide her through her life...

The most special part of it will definitely be when Charles, her Papa, sings a song to her. Here are the lyrics...

Little hands, may they reach
to help the hurting
Little eyes, may they see
only the good in all
Little heart, may it beat
for Your will and no other
Little ears, may they hear
the still small voice of the Lord

CHORUS
Lord keep Your hands upon our little Eleanor
love and guide her, Jesus walk beside her
Lord keep Your hands upon our little baby
Our precious gift from above.

Little feet, may they walk
on the straight and narrow path
Little mouth, may it proclaim,
the goodness of the Lord (to chorus)

BRIDGE
And when she's grown, and we are gone,
we pray Your name she carries on
And by Your will, Oh Lord let it be
that she'll live with us for eternity.

Baby Song
From the album "Zion Sing!"
Words and music by: Melissa Champlion
©1998 All rights reserved

www.soulkeepermusic.com (go to this website to ehar the song if you want)

By the way, I had a lot of fun picking a gown for her to wear. I wanted something long and elegant, Chuck wanted something very simple. I think this dress is both...almost 3 ft long, silk, with only the braid across the front. I am hoping to pass it down to her children. I also love the headband that a lady made to match it (warmingtheheart.com to give credit where it is due...) She made it like she did when her own baby was dedicated...she called it a "crown of flowers" around her head. My special friend Wendy is making her a beautiful pearl bracelet for tomorrow. I will post pictures of it with the pics of the day.

Me and My Girl

Sweet Eleanor...


First Captured Smile (She just started smiling this past weekend--5 1/2 weeks)
It lights up a room!

Charlie in the Spotlight

Talent...



Me and my sis...


So, do you think she looks like me?


Wrestling with Uncle J.



My favorite picture that I took of Zach


Charlie has been a mess since Eleanor was born. He ADORES her. He is sweet, gentle, kind...and if you ask him, above the law. The other day at church, he left the potluck dinner in the fellowship hall BY HIMSELF (HUGE rule broken) and walked accoss the street to the church. He caught my friend Melissa and asked if he could sit with her. No, he didn't know where his mom was. His mom was FRANTIC, that's where she was. I took him into the bathroom and the conversation went like this...

Me: Charlie, I was so worried. You could have been hit by a car, kidnapped, or lost. If any of those happen, I would cry forever. I was so worried about you. You CANNOT go across the street by yourself...

Him: But Mom, GOD was with me...

Me: ...(silence) ... ... ...